Trial on recycling batteries in the Harrogate district 21 Dec 09
:21 December 2009
From February next year, shops selling more than 32kg of batteries a year (approx 345 x four-packs of AA batteries) will have to provide battery recycling collection facilities in-store. This means there will be lots more places where you can take your old batteries for recycling.
And in the Harrogate district, a number of council buildings and schools are already trialling their own battery recycling collection points.
On behalf of the North Yorkshire Waste Partnership, Harrogate Borough Council has agreed to run the trail on behalf of all councils in the county who make up the partnership.
Councillor Michael Harrison, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:
"Christmas is a good time to promote battery recycling as all those new toys will be wearing out batteries over the festive season.
It is such a shame if we just open a new pack without thinking about how we can reuse the valuable commodities that make up a battery.
An average household uses 21 batteries a year, all of which can be recycled.
"Whilst we would always recommend the use of rechargeable batteries, we appreciate this isn't always possible, but recycling is."
Eight schools* across the district are taking part in the trial and banks have been set up at Harrogate Borough Council offices in Crescent Gardens and Scottsdale House on Springfield Avenue where residents can take domestic batteries.
Batteries will be sent to BatteryBack for recycling.
Around 600 million UK household batteries a staggering 22,000 tonnes or the equivalent of 110 Jumbo Jets are sent unnecessarily to landfill ever year.
For information about recycling facilities and what can be recycled locally go to http://www.recyclenow.com and enter your post code.
Burnt Yates Primary School, Ashville Junior School, Aspin Park Community Primary, Boroughbridge High School, Fountains CE Primary School, Tockwith CE Primary School, St Cuthberts CE Primary School, Birstwith CE Primary School.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Councillor Michael Harrison is available for comment on 01423 536157 or 07979 876655 or via
Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager, 01423 556022 email
lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk
or mobile 07702 313776.